Improvement in bee-hives



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ASBURY WILKINSON, 'OF- GREENSBURG, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND WILLIAM T. GIBSON, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

Letters Patent No. 111,289, dated January 24, 1871.

IMPROVEMENT IN BEE-HIVES.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, ASBURY WILKINSON, ofGreens- I burg, in the county of Decatur andState of Indiana, have invented certain Improvements in Bee-Hives, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to that class of hives which is provided with removable comb-frames, and con sists in certain improvements therein, as follows:

First, in supporting and holding the comb-frames in 4 position by means of two horizontal notched bars se- I lower part;

Third, iii-two pivoted catches, forholding the two opposite hinged sides of the body shut, in combination with springs interpbsed between the catches and the sides, whereby the sides are held firmly shut, but still permitted to yield as the wood expands and contracts; and

Fourth, in a cover or top, provided with springstrips, which engage over the outer edges of the sides of the body, and serve to hold them snugly together as the wood expands and contracts.

In the drawing- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hive constructed on my plan, having its top removed and one side opened;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the combframes and the notched strips for holding them in place;

. Figure 3 is a bottom-plan view ofthe top of the hive, with its spring-strips; and

Figure 4 is a gauze diaphragm used in the top oi" I the hive.

In constructing my hive, I provide a board or base, A, and secure rigidly thereto, near one side, an upright board, B, to form the front side of the body; and to each edge of this front B I hinge a door or side, 0, of equal height therewith.

Across the inner face of the front 15 I secure horizontally two notched bars, a, one near the. top and the other near the bottom.

The notches l) I make in the outer edges of the bars a, at equal distances apart, and so that those in the upper bar are immediately opposite or above those in the lower bar, as shown in figs. 1 and 2, the notches being made at the same distance apart as that required between the frames.

I next provide the comli -frames 1) of a rectangular form, and of a height and width slightlyjess than the doors 0. v

These frames I place side by side on the base A, and push them forward until ,the front side of each engages in corresponding notches in the bars a, as shown .in figs. l and 2.

In this manner the frames are held firmly in an upright position, and at the proper distances apart, while, at the same time, they can be turned laterally, as shown in fig. 1, or readily detached when necessary.

The outer side or bar of each frame I make wider than the inner, and of the same height as the door 0,

so that, when the series of frames is in position, their outer sides fit closely together and form a solid back to the hive, as shown in fig. 1.

By this construction and arrangement of parts I dispense with a back or door on the rear side of the hive, and, consequently, the trouble of opening and closing the same.

In the upper portion of each frame I) I suspend a small detachable frame, L, by means of pins on thelatter, which fit into groovesin, the former, as shown in figs. 1 and 2, so that, when filled with honey, these supplemental frames may be removed without disturb- The catches F are so located that they serve theadditional purpose of holding the comb-frames forward in position. 7

I' next construct the top or cover J, and provide it on the under side with four spring-strips, g, which are fast at one end, while the opposite end bends inward, as shown in fig. 3. v

'Jjo each of the strips g I attach a hook, it, and to the top, outside of the strips, I secure corresponding pins or loops, 1', so that, by engaging the hooks over the pins, the free ends of the spring-strips may be held outward, as shown.

Before applying the top I place all the frames in position and'close and fasten the .doors C, and then, after having fastened back the strips, I place the top in position, and disengage the hooks, and thereby rclease the strips.

Then the strips are thus released, they bear or press against the outside of the'doors, front, and frames, and hold these parts securely together, as well as t elf, in place.

The spring-strips yield as the wood shrinks and swells, and thus they serve to keep the various joints closed at all times, and thereby to render the hive garfectly tight and protect the bees from cold, storms,

I also provide a frame, B, of the proper size to fit within the upper end of the hive above the frames D, and cover it with wire gauze, as shown infig. 4..

I also provide a board of suitable size to fit tightly the frame R, and cover the gauze, for use in cold weather. r

In this manner I produce a cheap and simple hive, which is perfectly tight, accessible in all its parts, and from which the comb-frames can be readily removed.

Having described my invention,

What I claim is- 1. The arrangement of the notched bars a and frames D in connection with the side B, substantially as shown and described.

' 2. The frame I), having one side made;'wider"than the rest, so that, when a series of them ;is, 'suitably arranged in a hive, their wide sides shall form the body of the hive-on that side, substantially as described.

3. The detachable comb-frames L, constructed to fit in and be held in position by the frames D, substantially as described.

4. The combination of the hinged catches 1* with the hinged sides 0, the latter having the springs H applied, substantially as set forth.

5. The top J, provided with the strips y arranged to press against the sides of the hive, and to yield, to compensate for expansion and contraction. substantially as described.

ASBURY WILKINSON.

Witnesses:

A. E. LEMON, WILLIAM WALLACE. 

